太阳能被认为是人类在21世纪将取代传统化石能源的最佳选择之一, 它是一种可以再生的绿色能源。基于近年来所阅读的文献资料, 较为系统地介绍了太阳能发电技术(PV)发展的状况, 包括太阳能电池及相关的光学技术; 并简单介绍世界和我国太阳能产业发展状况和趋势。从国际上的技术进展看, 今后10余年将是太阳能发电技术和产业大发展的时期。预计2020年前后, 太阳能发电将在经济上胜过传统技术而成为电网的主力; 在技术上, 基于Ⅲ-Ⅴ族化合物半导体的多重结高效率太阳能电池, 配合大聚焦比光学系统的聚焦型太阳能发电(CPV), 是最有发展前途的方向之一。

Solar energy is widely considered as the best choice to replace the traditional fossil energy in 21st century, as one of the renewable “green” energy sources. Recent progresses of photovoltaic (PV) electric power generation, including solar cells, related optics, and industrial trends in the world and China, are reviewed briefly. Viewing the technology progress of the world, it may be concluded that the coming ten and more years will be an important period for both PV technology and industry. It is expected that PV power will become main force of the power grid by 2020, superior to the traditional technologies. It is recognized that the technology of high efficiency multiple junction solar cells based on Ⅲ-Ⅴ compound semiconductors, coordinated with high concentration optics concentrating photovoltaics (CPV), is one of the major directions.